STEWARDSHIP CORNER
Investing in Eternity
BY BOB HAWLEY
A few years ago a friend of mine was discussing his long-term investment strate- gy. He had a portfolio of papers from his retirement program: papers from former employers who had put retirement funds aside for him, others from his investment broker, and even more from his estate plan- ner. He was busily sifting through the doc- uments when a gust of wind blew across the table as a family member opened the back door. Papers flew everywhere. He quickly grew frustrated and upset, but while he was on his knees trying to collect his papers, the Lord spoke to him.
He paused and allowed the Lord to speak to his spirit. What he heard changed his attitude about having to get down on his knees. God said, “You’re in the right position, but doing the wrong thing.” That thought shocked him. He had to pause and consider what he’d heard.
Creating a written record of our plans
and developing a roadmap for our retirement is important. We are encouraged by God to be like the ant and work while it is day so we will have resources when our retirement days come. This is wise planning. What my friend heard from God was not that he hadn’t planned accordingly, but that he had failed to inquire of God with regard to what should be done with the resources he had been given for all of those years. Many of us get caught up in the mindset that the money we make belongs to us. The Bible is very clear that God owns it all and we are merely His stewards (see Psalm 24:1). If God owns it all and we are His stewards, it frees us from the worries of having enough to carry us through the
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retirement years. The Bible gives us many examples of God’s provision to those who are faithful to His plan.
The parable of the talents speaks of
faithful stewards who invest God’s resources to gain greater income to be used by the Lord. The parable of the sower discusses reaping a harvest and the investment in taking care that the seed is planted in good ground.
Each example tells of God’s
provision. Even our Lord’s comments about worry—about the cares of tomorrow, in the Sermon on the Mount—show God’s involvement and interest in caring for the needs of His children.
When considering what to do about
your long-range plans, it is always best to seek the Lord’s guidance and wisdom. Making wise decisions requires God’s direction. Reading the Word of God provides insight into His desires regarding how we are to invest His resources. Where, when, how, and why you invest is spelled out in Scripture. reaching
the lost
For most, we invest in because
our Lord’s
command was to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19-20). Where we invest is in ministries that reach the lost, first among the lost sheep of Israel (Romans 1:16), and then to the ends of the earth. When to invest is an ongoing commission by God, because funding the Gospel message will be an ongoing requirement until the days of our work are done. There is no better time than now to invest in God’s end-time call. How you invest will require prayer and
conversation with God. He may desire that you take a mission trip with Jewish Voice,
or He may wish for you to sponsor a doctor, nurse, or someone else whose talents and skills can be used in ministry as we reach out to hurting people in Ethiopia, India, South America, and other places. God may want you to add Jewish Voice as a beneficiary in your will, trust, or insurance policy. How you invest says you want to be a steward of God’s resources even after He calls you home to be with Him in eternity. If you are looking for a wise investment plan that will impact eternity, take a look at reaching the Lost Tribes of Israel scattered around the globe. Invest some of God’s resources in His end-time Kingdom work. Call Jewish Voice and discuss how you can invest in reaching others with the hope you have found in Yeshua (Jesus). You may discover that you can provide for your family, yourself, and others in effective ways that will please God. Maybe you need to get on your knees right now and seek God’s direction for investing in His end-time harvest. Check out our matching gift list at:
www.jewishvoice.org/give to see if your company has a matching gifts program. Email:
JCummins@jewishvoice.org if your company participates in a matching gifts program.
Jewish Voice Gift Planning Specialists can help you create an estate plan. Contact us at:
602-971-8501 or email:
bhawley@jvmi.org.
www.JewishVoiceToday.org
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